Artist Assistant Spotlight: Bianca Kann

July 13, 2015

Meet Bianca Kann, artist assistant!

So, what made you decide to intern with The LP? How does the internship relate to your studies?

I decided to intern with The LP because I believe its values are aligned with my values and studies. As an artist myself, I too believe that artists are valuable assets in every community. I care about social advancement and believe in the power of art to bring about such progress. At NYU Gallatin, my major includes Studio Art and Creative Activism, thus I am aware that our creative capacities are a means of transforming lives, relationships, and our surroundings. The LP faces challenges posed by inequity or injustice in different communities in NYC, yet is committed to using community artistic practice as a tool to solve these challenges and envision new ways of being—something I truly believe in and will actively support through my studies: interning at the LP and future activism.

Do you have your own creative practice? If so, tell us more!

Yes—I am a classically trained pianist and am extremely passionate about painting and drawing. I am also very interested in supporting young artists who are interested in making strong and meaningful art. This year, I published an art book including NYC student art promoting new ways of envisioning reality and fighting oppression, which would demonstrate the LP’s values which are perfectly synced with mine. l plan to continue to support artists in their efforts to promote social justice.

Can you tell us about an artist or project that has inspired you?

An artist I truly admire is the Brazilian artist, Vik Muniz. His innovative methods of creating visual content—including materials such as trash or perishable items—are not only revolutionary but also reflective of the impacts of mass waste produced by consumerist society. I am inspired by his commitment to social activism through art. With his series Wasteland, which depicted members of an impoverished community in Rio de Janeiro through compilations of trash, Vik Muniz contributed to the enormous advancement of that community by donating the money he raised with the project back to that community. His work serves as proof that art has influential transformative powers and sets an example to all artists who are motivated to challenge or resolve the world’s inequities.

What is your favorite… film? …album? …food?

Favorite film: Forrest Gump
Album: Tribalistas
Food: Mashed Potatoes

Where do you do your laundry?

I do my laundry in the college dorm laundromat.

In your opinion, why does art matter?

Art matters because it has the power to not only capture but also transform reality. Such malleability of our truths is a unique property of art that holds tremendous power, not only in improving our individual lives, but collectively as a society. Art can isolate and unite us, it can promote or resolve conflicts—this tension it bears is reflective of the complexity of the human condition. In other words, artistic expression is mimetic of our convolutions, the very thing that makes us human.

People know me as Bi. I’m lactose intolerant but a committed chocaholic. I enjoy conversations about feminism and OCD. You’ll find me obsessing over owls and other people’s dogs.

(718) 574–0798

For questions about how to navigate The Laundromat Project venues during the course of programs, exhibitions, and installations, and to address any other access accommodations, please contact The Laundromat Project offices by phone at (718) 574-0798 (Monday—Friday, 10:00am—6:00pm) or by email at info@laundromatproject.org.